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What We Do Educational Programmes for LGBTQ+ Inclusion
Capacity Building training programmes are for adults who work in an organisation which provides a service. This training is designed to leave the people who work in such an organisation with an expanded ability to provide services for LGBTQ+ people. We work with professionals such as teachers, youth workers, coaches, and healthcare professionals. We also offer dedicated sessions to staff in sporting organisations, arts and cultural organisations, higher education institutions, and those working in advocacy.
These programmes are tailored to the specific group we are working with. We also expand our service beyond training to assist with policy writing and reviewals to ensure long lasting impact.
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Teacher Training
One of the most important strands in ShoutOut’s capacity building offering is our teacher training programmes, offered to staff in primary and secondary schools alike. This year, we trained staff in schools across Ireland in LGBTQ+ terminology and strategies for supporting LGBTQ+ students in their care. In particular, we work with schools who may need support in dealing with an instance of anti LGBTQ+ bullying or supporting LGBTQ+ students in specific cases of need. Teacher training has long been identified by students in our workshops as a priority for LGBTQ+ student inclusion.
Visit our website shoutout.ie for more information or to book a teacher training session for your school.
In 2021/22, ShoutOut expanded and embedded its training programme in Gender Identity, Expression and Diversity for Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) through further delivery of workshops for higher education staff, leaders, and HR professionals. The Gender Identity, Expression and Diversity training programme is developed in partnership with South East Technological University, Mary Immaculate College, Carlow College, Technological University of the Shannon-Midwest, and NUI Galway, with the support of the Higher Education Authority.
The programme has also seen the establishment of a Gender Identity & Expression Equality Champion Network across partner institutions. The Gender Identity & Expression Equality Champion Network represents a voluntary community of individuals working in relevant roles within HEIs to establish gender equality in a number of higher education institutions across Ireland.
In late 2022, the Network and programme will develop a Train the Trainer programme and resource for individuals seeking to promote gender equality in higher education institutions.
Clients
Charities & NGOs
Charities Institute Development Perspectives Outhouse
Creative Sector
Dublin Theatre Festival The National Gallery of Ireland
Education
Blackhall Place (The Law Society of Ireland) Cabra Community College Carlow College DCU Nursing East Glendalough School Holywell ETNS Edmund Rice College IT Carlow Mary Immaculate College Nagle Community College NUI Galway Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School Patrician Secondary Newbridge Ratoath College Science Foundation Ireland South East Technological University Technological University of the
Shannon-Midwest Trinity College Dublin ITE programme The Lír UCD Policy & Projects UCD Tutors UCD Women in STEM Society USI Waterford Institute of Technology Worldwise Global Schools
Service Providers
Foster Parents The Probation Service Swan Youth Service
Sports Organisations
Badminton Ireland Bohemian Football Club Horse Racing Ireland
Quotes
We are incredibly grateful to ShoutOut for all the support and advice we have received from them this year. The workshops they created for our staff and coaches has been invaluable. They have a great ability of understanding the crowd and people they are speaking to and tailoring their work accordingly. Their work has been of phenomenal benefit across the club already and ultimately will benefit the young people in our club for years to come. We are very excited to continue to work alongside ShoutOut in the future. – Jimmy Dignan, Bohemian F.C.
Bella delivered a one-off session to foster carers as part of our online national conference in 2021. She gave very generously of her time and provided sound information and reassurance to one foster carer in particular who was struggling with how best to support her LGBTQI child. We’re extremely grateful to Aifric and ShoutOut for a wonderful session! – Niamh Barrett, The Irish Foster Care Association
We benefited hugely from the training received by ShoutOut, both within our organisation and in the work we do with schools. The training helped to demystify some of the terminology and supported team members’ confidence in using respectful language and building more inclusive work spaces. The bespoke training which incorporated the Sustainable Development Goals also helped team members to connect LGBTQIA+ issues with Global Issues which is of huge importance to our work and the work of our schools. We couldn’t recommend them more highly! – Sinéad Hayes, WorldWise Global Schools
I have sat in on several workshops facilitated by ShoutOut both at the institute level and faculty level. The workshops were superbly organised – even over the COVID period when all workshops had to be online. Ruadhán is an excellent facilitator and is very approachable, the training is informative and insightful. – Dr David Allen, Lecturer, SETU
Workplace Workshops
As ShoutOut has grown over the past 10 years, we have encountered an ambition to create inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ people in workplaces across an array of sectors. We have expanded our educational workshop offerings across these contexts and in 2022 we continued to work with some long standing partners as well as forging new relationships with companies and organisations, both here in Ireland and internationally. Much of this work moved online due to Pandemic restrictions. As a result we have been working with teams across the globe and have had the opportunity to expand our workplace training with an international lens.
At the heart of our workplace offering, is a chance for employees to ask questions and engage in dialogue around LGBTQ+ issues in a safe and informed environment. In a year that has been marked by a rise in homophobic and transphobic attacks here in Ireland it feels increasingly important that we open up pathways for communication and understanding, to build strong networks of informed allies who are informed, empowered, and prepared to stand up for their LGBTQ+ peers. We have met with employees and teams who are openminded and eager to learn, but sometimes hesitant to ask questions amidst an ever increasing environment of misinformation. Our workshops are a space to cut through the noise, ask questions that otherwise feel daunting, and engage in open conversation.
Our workplace programmes cover a range of topics – everything from a 101 on LGBTQ+ identities, to the history of the queer community around the world, advice for parents and guardians, and support for leadership and HR. These workshops advance a company’s inclusion efforts and programmes, but crucially, too, they support our work providing LGBTQ+ education in schools.
We’re incredibly grateful to the individuals, employee resource groups, and teams who have mobilised in their workplaces to engage ShoutOut, to deliver these educational pieces. By bringing us into their organisations, these people have advocated for us, supported our charitable work, and played a key role in shifting culture towards one of inclusivity and LGBTQ+ empowerment.
If you brought us to your workplace, organised a fundraiser or donation, or offered your services – thank you! Your contributions go a long way at a small charity like ours, and play a crucial part in continuing the work for LGBTQ+ inclusion and empowerment.
Our Workshops
The ABCs of LGBTQ+
Our most popular workshop, a fun and interactive learning session which offers a comprehensive overview of LGBTQ+ identity, terminology, and allyship. Everyone can learn something here. Topics addressed by this session include:
–Introduction to ShoutOut and our mission promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion through education –A personal story about our own experiences of being LGBTQ+ at work –A detailed overview of LGBTQ+ terminology and theory, including gender identity and sexual orientation –Further explanation on trans, non-binary, and intersex identities –Simple steps we can all take as allies –“Ask anything” Q&A
Allied Leaders
For those in leadership positions, this workshop explores creating inclusive team cultures, resilience, best practice and leadership. This session is crucial for management who want to lead by example in their workplace. Demonstrate your company’s proven commitment to inclusion and diversity and learn how those qualities can make your teams stronger, more creative, and more collaborative in their work. Topics covered include: –Implicit vs. explicit bias: recognising our biases, confronting them, and being accountable –LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion: perspectives from employment and human rights law –An exploration of the ways in which our professional and personal lives overlap –The facts and figures around LGBTQ+ employment, locally and globally –Proactive and reactive approaches to
LGBTQ+ inclusion –Practical steps towards a more inclusive workplace –“Ask anything” Q&A
HR Professionals: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Workplaces
This session is specifically for those working in HR and/or involved in recruitment processes. Participants will receive guidance around supporting LGBTQ+ employees as well as building more inclusive recruitment practices. All participants will have the option of ongoing support with regards to LGBTQ+ inclusion. Topics covered here include:
–An overview of how LGBTQ+ employees can be better covered by broader company policy –Best practice in terms of dress code, name changes, leave, complaints, and policy development –Simple steps to build a more welcoming recruitment process –Strategies for attracting LGBTQ+ talent –Optional: Breakout room scenarios around
LGBTQ+ inclusion –“Ask anything” Q&A
